Monday, July 6, 2015

Shortening the School Week Improves Student Performance

School districts use a variety of policies to close budget gaps and
stave off teacher layoffs and furloughs. More schools are implementing
four-day school weeks to reduce overhead and transportation costs. The
four-day week requires substantial schedule changes as schools must
increase the length of their school day to meet minimum instructional
hour requirements. Although some schools have indicated this policy
eases financial pressures, it is unknown whether there is an impact on
student outcomes.

This study uses school-level data from Colorado to investigate
the relationship between the four-day week and academic performance
among elementary school students.

The results generally indicate a
positive relationship between the four-day week and performance in
reading and mathematics. These findings suggest there is little evidence
that moving to a four-day week compromises student academic
achievement. This research has policy relevance to the current U.S.
education system, where many school districts must cut costs.